Sun Dec 14 13:18:19 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The Telangana government is requesting increased paddy and parboiled rice procurement targets from the central government for the upcoming and current agricultural seasons. They cite increased paddy production estimates, issues with rice lifting by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), and logistical challenges like a shortage of rakes for transport. The state is also requesting an extension for rice delivery deadlines, increased storage capacity, and the release of pending subsidies.

News Article:

Telangana Seeks Increased Rice Procurement Targets from Central Government

Hyderabad, December 14, 2025 – The Telangana government has formally requested the Union government to significantly increase the paddy procurement target for the 2025-26 Kharif season, citing a substantial rise in anticipated production. In a letter to Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, Telangana Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked to increase the target from 54 lakh tonnes (36 lakh tonnes of rice) to 80 lakh tonnes (54 lakh tonnes of rice).

The state government estimates paddy production at 148 lakh tonnes for the upcoming season and has already procured 52 lakh tonnes.

Beyond the Kharif season, Mr. Reddy also requested the central government to allocate additional target for the procurement of parboiled rice for the 2024-25 Rabi season. Telangana is seeking the Centre take another 10 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice for the 2024-25 Rabi season in addition to the target to facilitate the timely completion of CMR deliveries.

Minister Reddy further requested an extension of the CMR delivery period for the 2024-25 Kharif season, from November 12, 2025, to January 26, 2026, to allow for the joint physical verification of the remaining 3.5 lakh tonnes of paddy.

The request also highlights logistical challenges, with Telangana facing a shortage of railway rakes, leading to a 13.5 lakh tonne shortfall in parboiled rice movement from FCI godowns. Mr. Reddy has urged the Union Minister to allot additional rakes to Telangana for expediting the movement of parboiled rice.

Finally, the State Government is requesting additional resources including requesting an increase in the State’s storage capacity and also releasing pending subsidies amounting to ₹1,468 crore for excess mill levy for the 2014-15 Kharif and also the subsidy amount of ₹343 crore for 89,988 tonnes of rice distributed under PDS (PMGKAY) in 2022. These requests aim to address both current and past financial obligations.

This appeal underscores the ongoing dialogue between state and central governments regarding agricultural procurement and resource management, a crucial aspect of India’s food security system.

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